Unindicted Duke lacrosse players fight bid to dismiss lawsuit

Durham, N.C. — More than three dozen members of Duke University's 2006 men's lacrosse team insist they suffered emotional distress in the wake of a stripper's allegations she was raped and sexually assaulted by three members in March 2006.

That's the claim their Washington attorney, Charles Cooper, makes in court documents filed last week to fight attempts to dismiss the case.

Thirty-eight players filed the lawsuit in February against Duke, Durham, police investigators and a sexual assault nurse who examined exotic dancer Crystal Mangum. They allege the defendants' actions caused and prolonged the emotional stress during the 13-month investigation involving their teammates – David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann.
Cooper wants a hearing on the matter.

Duke, Durham and others named in the lawsuit filed a motion in May asking that it be dismissed, saying the players have failed to show the injuries they allege.